EDITOR’S NOTE: Towards the end of February, #HealthCaribbean featured ‘international politics in vaccine distribution’ in our edition 2021-03-04. This newsletter does the same. the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and three locations are covered, namely: Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaica has two of the five articles, and the others one each.

The headline, taken from the Jamaica Observer, reads: “CARICOM Repeats Call For Global, Equitable Access To Vaccines”. Guyana’s Minister of Health — Dr. Frank Anthony — speaking on behalf of CARICOM, at a special meeting of the U.N. Economic and Social Council, requested developed nations set aside an interim supply of vaccines for the Caribbean region.

Guyana’s Senior Minister for Finance in the Office of its President — Dr. Ashni Singh — also told the meeting that developing countries have challenges accessing vaccines at affordable prices, and on fair terms. In commemorating World Health Day in Trinidad, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) also used the slogan: “Together for a fairer and healthier world.”

In Jamaica, the National Health Fund, the agency responsible for procuring vaccines into the island, has admitted that India’s suspension of AstraZeneca exports has added to the uncertainty to their task. And finally, Prime Minister — Andrew Holness — appealed to “hoarders of the life-saving vials to free up supplies”.

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